History of the law
The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act was enacted in 1996. It was spearheaded by member of congress,
Bill Emerson
Norvell William Emerson (January 1, 1938 – June 22, 1996) was an American politician. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri from 1981 until his death from lung cancer in Bethesda, Maryland in 19 ...
, who died before the act passed. The law was named after him to recognize his work.
Description of the law
The law provides limited liability for individual, corporation, partnership, organization, association, or governmental entity which donate food to non-profits that feed the hungry. In other words, this law ensures that entities that donate food cannot be sued for proving expired or otherwise unfit to consume food to the hungry.
This law has in place some limits to its protections:
* Direct donations to hungry individuals are not covered by the law.
* In cases of gross negligence this law will not award the donating entity any protections
Expansions to the law
The Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 built on the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act by encouraging federal agencies to donate excess food to nonprofit organizations, utilizing the exemption for civil and criminal liability provided for in the 1996 law. Federal contracts for the purchase of food valued at over $25,000 must make provision for contractors to donate apparently wholesome excess food to nonprofit organizations.
Federal Acquisition Regulation
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the principal set of rules regarding Government procurement in the United States. The document describes the procedures executive branch agencies use for acquiring products and services. FAR is part o ...
26.403-404
See also
*
Child Nutrition Act
The Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) is a United States federal law ( act) signed on October 11, 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Act was created as a result of the "years of cumulative successful experience under the National School ...
*
Good Samaritan law
Good Samaritan laws offer legal protection to people who give Reasonable person, reasonable assistance to those who are, or whom they believe to be injured, ill, in peril, or otherwise incapacitated. The protection is intended to reduce bystande ...
References
{{wikisource, Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
External links
Text of lawNews story of the law in actionAn Act to Encourage the Donation of Food and Grocery Products to Nonprofit Organizations for Distribution to Needy Individuals by Giving the Model Good Samaritan Food Donation Act the Full Force and Effect of Law
Acts of the 104th United States Congress
United States tort law